Photosynthesis: Impact of various parameters

Principle

With this experiment, the photosynthetic performance of plants can be analysed quantitatively and without sensors as a function of the decisive photosynthetic parameters. The parameters to be varied are light intensity, wavelength of light, CO2 content, ambient temperature and plant mass. Further parameters are possible. The volume of oxygen produced is measured. In addition, the oxygen produced can be captured and detected with the glowing splint test.

Tasks

1. Measurement of the photosynthesis rate as a function of various parameters (quantitative)
2. Glowing splint test to detect the oxygen produced (qualitative)

Learning objective

• Which parameters promote and inhibit photosynthetic performance?

Benefits

• Simple experimental setup for quantitative measurement of photosynthesis parameters without digital measurement methods.
• Numerous parameters can be measured using the same measurement setup.